Women stick their necks out for fashion

LOS ANGELES

Just when you thought LA style was disappearing into a sea of uniform low-rise jeans and snug-fit sweatsuits, pendants come to the rescue.

This summer, women are adding a bit of bohemian chic to their casual ensembles with sculptural ornaments worn around the neck. Some of the most striking pieces are inspired by nature -- crosses and medallions crafted from seashells and bone chips, intricately hand-painted and decorated with pave crystals.

Other styles incorporate vintage pieces -- carved glass flowers or American Indian charms, for example -- strung with semiprecious stones.

"Anything that is handcrafted is so 'in' right now," says Chan Luu, 52, a Los Angeles jewelry designer who hit it big after Jennifer Aniston became a fan of her hand-painted shell necklaces.

"I bring personality to each one of my pendants, and people want that," says Luu, who will open her own store next month. Instead of building an outfit around a smart jacket or skirt, many women are dressing around a special accessory.

"You could have on jeans and a T-shirt, and a beautiful necklace makes all the difference," says jewelry designer Robin Woodard, 34, who works with vintage pendants. Necklaces by Luu and Woodard can cost $100 and up, but lower-price options are available at Banana Republic, Rampage, Arden B. and other chain stores.

Or, you could make your own. At Nina at Fred Segal Santa Monica, would-be jewelry artists can choose from an array of pendants ($25 to $145) and cords or beads to string them on. Manager Jasmine Naisbitt says Chinese characters and flower shapes in jade, rose quartz, bone or turquoise are being snapped up faster than she can stock them

"If you look at the shows on TV, the 'Sex and the City' girls, for example, everyone's wearing them," she says. "And what could be better than making your own?